All Virginia public schools are required to have an educational technology plan that aligns with the Educational Technology Plan of Virginia: 2003-09. These individual school plans must include policies defining acceptable use of computers and the Internet. In addition, superintendents must submit divisionwide acceptable use policies biennially to the Department of Education for compliance review. Legislation approved by the 2006 General Assembly and signed by Governor Kaine added a requirement that each division acceptable use policy must include an Internet safety component.

As divisions increase the integration of technology into instructional programs, they must ensure that the technologies and devices mentioned in these guidelines comply with their acceptable use policies. The Superintendent of Public Instruction has issued guidelines to divisions regarding Internet safety-related instructional programs. These guidelines are available in PDF format for duplication as needed at http://www.doe.virginia.gov/VDOE/Technology/OET/internet-safety-guidelines-resources.pdf. The Department has issued companion documents relating to integrating Internet safety into curriculum and instruction which can be found at http://www.doe.virginia.gov/VDOE/Technology/OET/internet-safety-guidelines.shtml. The Department also has compiled additional resources relating to implementing the legislation which can be found at http://www.doe.virginia.gov/VDOE/Technology/OET/internet-safety-related-resources.pdf.